to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Medical and Healthcare
dazthechippy
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to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Post by dazthechippy »

Folks,

wondering your thoughts on having a stethoscope in the FAK at home.

i have no desire to strap a blue light on the car and zip about the community pretending I know medical stuff - thats my caveat on this firstly and I'm not looking to be a doctor or overestimate my capabilities or reliance on the NHS/GP etc.

BUT i do have an 8 yr old with a history of croup (hospitalised), whooping cough, pneumonina - you name it she's had it. I'm very well experienced in accessing out of hours NHS via the GP, 111, child paediatrics etc. for respiratory issues

So what i really want is to be able to keep an eye on her and check for the obvious crackles etc and to know when to do something, when to worry, when not to etc...

I don't want to make this complicated but imagine there is a degree of self help one could get from having such a device

so, anyone got a stethoscope, would you recommend/not recommend etc.

cheers
pseudonym
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Re: to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Post by pseudonym »

Get you if you can justify it, and it seems you can.

I have some surgical items packed away. I cannot use them, but if required by a qualified person I have them available.

The old adage "Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it" rings true.
Two is one and one is none, but three is even better.
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Deeps
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Re: to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Post by Deeps »

A quick look on Amazon shows you can pick some up pretty cheaply, go for it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=a9_asi_1 ... 1485439856
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Plymtom
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Re: to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Post by Plymtom »

Deeps wrote:A quick look on Amazon shows you can pick some up pretty cheaply, go for it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=a9_asi_1 ... 1485439856
We got a cheap one, my wife's idea, I have no idea what I'd be listening for, though I reckon you could hear what the neighbours were up to with one.
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Jamesey1981
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Re: to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Post by Jamesey1981 »

No reason not to have one, it might be a source of paranoia but if you have a child that has had problems with their lungs it also might help to set your mind at ease too so if you want one then get one.

Only thing I have to say though is get someone that knows their stuff to give you a run down on what you're looking for because you could easily misinterpret what you're hearing and either dismiss a problem or panic unduly, the latter is easily done, just visit webMD with a sore throat and you'll come away convinced you have Ebola!
That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die.
dazthechippy
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Joined: Fri Jun 07, 2013 7:47 pm

Re: to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Post by dazthechippy »

thanks folks, game set and match then, something else to add to my list, or might just ahem "treat" myself..

ill let you know how i get on practicing with it, might have to catch the cat first and try on him !
Appin
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Re: to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Post by Appin »

Stethoscope for £5.99 inc VAT
https://www.spservices.co.uk/browse/Ste ... lh_12.html

That said to use a stethoscope effectively takes a lot of practice. More basic things like getting good a measuring pulse, temperature respiratory rate might be more use.

Appin
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sethorly
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Re: to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Post by sethorly »

I've never been able to use it for checking health, as that takes specialist knowledge I don't have, but they're a great tool for teaching kids about their bodies. Every parent should have one for teaching their kids.
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unsure
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Re: to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Post by unsure »

i have to say , i have one and a old style blood pressure machine . i can`t use them my self , but if the need arose then they are here for who ever can use them .
YES i walked away mid sentence , you were boring me to death and my survival instincts kick in .
Lanky Yankee
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Re: to buy or not to buy a Stethescope

Post by Lanky Yankee »

As a person who uses a stethoscope daily, you get what you pay for with one. If your concerned about what to listen for there are loads of sites that have audio files so you can learn. Most people who know how to use them will have one or two anyway so having a cheap one just in case someone can use it I feel is not a good prep and that money could be put to better use for more bandages, but if you buy one with a view of increasing your own knowledge then get a decent one. Cheap stethoscope are cheap and not worth it.